Hi, and dogs???

[SandyLS]

Hubby has resorted to Halt, a pepper spray designed especially as a dog deterent, several times. The results have always been effective. The most amazing thing is not that the dogs stop dead in their tracks and then head off in another direction, but on future rides past the same dogs they seem to have lost all interest in chasing us. We carry it in a holster on our handle bars. I don't know if it is helpful in all cases, but so far it has worked for us even with some pretty large and agressive acting dogs. Our local bike shop won't carry the product. His wife thinks that it is cruel. As a dog lover and owner of two (fenced yard) I tend to think that the injuries to a dog that runs out into the road would be even worse.

[rheidis73]

Hubby has resorted to Halt, a pepper spray designed especially as a dog deterent, several times. The results have always been effective. The most amazing thing is not that the dogs stop dead in their tracks and then head off in another direction, but on future rides past the same dogs they seem to have lost all interest in chasing us. We carry it in a holster on our handle bars. I don't know if it is helpful in all cases, but so far it has worked for us even with some pretty large and agressive acting dogs. Our local bike shop won't carry the product. His wife thinks that it is cruel. As a dog lover and owner of two (fenced yard) I tend to think that the injuries to a dog that runs out into the road would be even worse.

I agree with you Sandy about the pepper spray. I have worked for animal control and we do carry pepper spray and will use it if need be. I did ask my boss (veterinarian) if pepper spray would cause damage to the eyes and he said no. If you think about it, if pepper spray can stop a 200 pound man, it sure would have a good effect on a 70 pound dog. I would much rather be cruel and spray the dog (if it needed to be done) then have the thing knock me off my bike and then start chewing on me.

I also would carry pepper spray that would be used against grizzly bears in the mountians when I would go hiking. I have heard of people that have used spray on the bears and has worked to be able to get away.

I am a complete animal lover myself and am big against abuse...but if it is going to save a wreck for me or the dog, I would much rather use it. Dogs are smart, it would take only one time and the next time, I could see them running the other way...Just my opinion

[madisongrrl]

I agree with you Sandy about the pepper spray. I have worked for animal control and we do carry pepper spray and will use it if need be. I did ask my boss (veterinarian) if pepper spray would cause damage to the eyes and he said no. If you think about it, if pepper spray can stop a 200 pound man, it sure would have a good effect on a 70 pound dog. I would much rather be cruel and spray the dog (if it needed to be done) then have the thing knock me off my bike and then start chewing on me.

The animal behaviorists that I know have told me that it has been their experience that pepper spray will indeed make a truly aggressive dog MORE aggressive. They have recommended direct stop citronella spray.

[annie]

Dogs scare me while on the bike. Always have, always will. But it won't stop me from riding. I used to carry Halt........... used it a couple of times with little result. Tried plain water spraying. Tried yelling "No!" Nothing seemed very effective. I now call out, firmly, "STAY -- STAY......." and that seems to work the best. Why? I don't know, maybe it's a command that the dog is accustomed to hearing. I also try to keep myself in a calm, unafraid state. _Most_ of the time it works. When it doesn't, I end up screaming and cursing, at dog and owners, and sprinting my life out to get away. I don't know that there is any one solution. I suspect not. I will definitely avoid certain routes if I know there is an agressive dog. Dogs have been a problem for cyclists since they've both co-existed, it seems. I wish there a good answer for the problem.

annie

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My take is that if a dog is really trying to bite you it will bite you whether you are speeding away or stopped.
I think it might be good to stop and get OFF one's bike and stand with the bike between you and the dog and command "No! Go Home!" and/or get out your spray at the same time. Most dogs want to CHASE you, that's what excites them. I don't think most of us can outspeed a full-tilt running dog- I sure can't! Take away their ability to chase you and perhaps they will change their mind. I don't think they expect one to stop and become a "normal" disapproving human on two legs.

[madisongrrl]

My take is that if a dog is really trying to bite you it will bite you whether you are speeding away or stopped.
I think it might be good to stop and get OFF one's bike and stand with the bike between you and the dog and command "No! Go Home!" and/or get out your spray at the same time. Most dogs want to CHASE you, that's what excites them. I don't think most of us can outspeed a full-tilt running dog- I sure can't! Take away their ability to chase you and perhaps they will change their mind. I don't think they expect one to stop and become a "normal" disapproving human on two legs.

Excellent advice...I second it.

[emily_in_nc]

Hi liberty!

If you search this forum you'll find a zillion posts about dealing with dogs, some of them mine. I fractured my pelvis in three places in April 2005 after a close encounter with two dogs. It sounds like you need medical attention for your shoulder and probably some physical therapy, and it is certainly possible to get reimbursed for your medical bills and any bike-related repairs, etc. you need due to your crash, at least if there is a leash law in your county or city. I filed a claim with the dog owner's homeowner's insurance and got all my out-of-pocket expenses paid, but that was many months after my accident, after all medical care and PT was complete. Save all receipts and document everything in case you do decide to try to get some compensation for your accident and any expenses resulting from it. Chances are you'll be just fine, but it's hard to predict whether you might end up with chronic shoulder problems.

It took me a long time to work up my courage to ride again. I have carried HALT (available at www.nashbar.com, by the way) for years, but couldn't get to it in time when I had my accident as the dogs came out of nowhere so fast. I have added an Air Zound air horn to my handlebars (do a search in the forum and you can read more about that too), and I do not hesitate to stop and get off my bike (as I did once last week when a very friendly golden retriever walked right in front of my front tire) if a dog approaches, friendly or otherwise. I have only had to use the air horn a couple of times, but it works! It is very loud. Halt works great if the dog gets close enough to be sprayed, but they often don't, or if there are more than one, it's very hard to fire at both! I have found that often just holding up the container and pointing it at them is enough to stop them from coming at me, though; they seem to have instincts about "guns" or things like them. Nashbar also makes a little $2 handlebar mount for Halt that I have on my handlebars so it's easy to access. Yes, my bike is a lot geekier these days, but I feel safer!

I am still nervous about dogs, and there are some routes I simply won't take because known mean, loose dogs are sometimes there, but I finally decided I couldn't give up cycling over it. All the suggestions given here are good, but as many people say, there is no one way of handling dogs -- every situation is different.

Good luck, and I hope you'll go to your doctor to take a look at your shoulder. I am very sorry that happened to you, and I truly know what you are going through!

Emily

[quint41]

Thank God I have not encountered dog problems. (There is one house that lets it's dogs outside and they lay in the road, but I haven't been chased ... yet.) I take exception to the statement that some dogs are dense ... they are not dense, they have not been taught to be good neighbors by their dense owners! Dogs are not born understanding language and human expectations, they must be taught.

And, for that reason, I would circle back in my car if necessary, get their address and report them to the dog warden. If your animal control stinks, then I'd call the police. And if the police appeared sluggish, I'd tell them that I bike that route frequently, and if a bicyclist ever gets hurt because of the dog and the town had failed to address the problem, there could be legal problems for both the dog owner AND the town. Using a form of the phrase "legal action" usually gets things rolling.

I live in a neighborhood with more than our share of inconsiderate a**hole dog owners (let the dog out at 5:30 am to bark, let the dog run across the street and kill the neighbor's lawn, etc.). It's an amazing thing.

[emily_in_nc]

Liberty, it is great that you got out and rode and that the dog owner seems to be "trying". I wouldn't want to have to call someone every time I went out on a ride, but it's better than the alternative. Glad you had a good ride!

Emily

[rheidis73]

The animal behaviorists that I know have told me that it has been their experience that pepper spray will indeed make a truly aggressive dog MORE aggressive. They have recommended direct stop citronella spray.

Thank you Madison for the extra advise...It is good to have more ideas with all the dogs that we encounter everyday!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

The animal behaviorists that I know have told me that it has been their experience that pepper spray will indeed make a truly aggressive dog MORE aggressive. They have recommended direct stop citronella spray.

Well at least the dog won't be distracted by mosquitos while it's tearing you to shreds....

(JUST KIDDING!!!)

[rheidis73]

Well at least the dog won't be distracted by mosquitos while it's tearing you to shreds....

(JUST KIDDING!!!)

You are too funny..Sounds like my sense of humor!

[TsPoet]

This thing stops almost anything in its tracks (at least temporarily)

http://www.deltacycle.com/product.php?g=1

(note, that's just a random website where they are sold, don't know anything about that company).

I've also seen it used to stop a wandering car from continuing its way into a bikes way, the driver stopped dead.
very loud.

[emily_in_nc]

This thing stops almost anything in its tracks (at least temporarily)

http://www.deltacycle.com/product.php?g=1

(note, that's just a random website where they are sold, don't know anything about that company).

I've also seen it used to stop a wandering car from continuing its way into a bikes way, the driver stopped dead.
very loud.

Yes, this is the airhorn I have now too. I have only had to use it ~4 times on dogs. All but one retreated/stopped in their tracks. One continued to chase -- I wondered if he was deaf. I got mine from Nashbar but they may not carry them anymore.

Emily